Abstract: A conveyor for testing successive plain or filter cigarettes or other rod-shaped smokers' products having non-circular (such as oval) cross-sectional outlines employs a rotary drum-shaped conveyor for sidewise transport of smokers' products toward, through and beyond a station where the products are tested by streams of a gaseous fluid entering the products at one axial end and issuing from satisfactory products at the other axial end. The end portions of the products are sealingly received in complementary sockets of elastically deformable sealing sleeves which are connected to their tubular fluid-conveying carriers in a manner to ensure that each sleeve remains in a selected position for optimum testing of the products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a plumbing system in a more dependable and cost-effective manner. During the rough-in plumbing phase of construction, the drain pipe leading from the plumbing system in a building to the city sewer main or main sewer line is positively sealed off by a test cap or plug welded in the pipe at the location of the clean-out. Access to the test cap is maintained through the clean-out. Pressurizing the rough-in plumbing to test the same can then proceed knowing that if any leaks occur, they are in the branch plumbing on the building side of the test cap, and not at or in the test cap. Following successful completion of the initial test, the top-out plumbing job is completed, leaving the test cap welded in the clean-out or drain pipe. After the roof vents are in, the second test of the plumbing system is made, again knowing that if the system shows any leaks, they are the result of a failure in the plumbing work and not a failure of the test cap.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single compact fitting for air, CO2, or nitrogen pressure testing either gas piping or waste piping. Each fitting is used for gas pipes of a particular outside diameter and waste pipes of a single larger diameter. The typical plumber would have a set, for example four, of the inventive fittings available, one for each size waste pipe that is be tested. The inventive fitting couples easily to either gas fuel piping or waste piping. A single air-pressure gauge is used to test either type of piping system. The inventive fitting is not limited to waste, vent, or gas piping systems; it can also be used to couple to other piping systems. The inventive fitting, in addition to being more versatile than conventional air-pressure test fittings, is also smaller and more compact. The inventive fitting can be made from a one-piece core body or from several conventional component pieces.

Abstract: A test plug for testing the integrity of a pipe includes a blind flange for mating with a pipe flange, a compression mandrel having a conical recess, an expander having a conical surface which mates with the compression mandrel and an elastomeric annular seal positioned between the compression mandrel and the expander. Removeable compression rings of different sizes may be attached to the test plugs and used with different sizes of annular seals. The expander is actuated by a rod which extends through the compression mandrel and to the exterior of the test plug. Installation of the test plug isolates and seals an end portion of the pipe. Fluid under pressure may then be pumped into the isolated segment to test for pressure integrity.

Abstract: A method for validating permeation measurements through closed containers including closure members, by making a first measurement of permeation through a container of a first size, and making a second measurement of permeation through a container of a second size, both with the same closure members, and subtracting the permeation measurement contributions respectively made by the closure members.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a leak in a pipe, and determining the location of that leak, comprises a cover plate for an opening into the pipe to be tested, such as an end cap for threading onto the end of a pipe, the cover plate having an aperture through which extends a flexible hose having an inflatable bladder at its free end. The hose is calibrated from its free end and is pushed into the pipe through the aperture for a known distance, whereafter the bladder is inflated by air supplied under pressure to the hose, so as to seal the pipe between the bladder and the cover plate. Air under pressure is then supplied to the sealed portion of the pipe and the pressure drop within that sealed portion is monitored over a period of time. By repeatedly performing the method but each time moving the hose further into the pipe, the location of the leak may accurately be determined.

Abstract: A leak testing device includes a generally cylindrical elongated sealing gasket which defines a recess therethrough. The gasket includes first and second end portions for receiving the respective ends of two adjacent conduits. A shoulder portion extends radially into the recess for supporting a diaphragm member thereon. The diaphragm member includes a diameter substantially corresponding to the diameter of the recess. In a preferred embodiment, the diaphragm member is made integral with the gasket. A hole is provided in the diaphragm member which can be selectively opened or closed by a valve assembly provided on the diaphragm member to thereby permit or restrict the flow of a fluid between the two conduits.

Abstract: A bottle closure testing apparatus includes a plurality of testing modules mounted side by side on a base plate. Each testing module includes a base block having a pressure input, a pressure signal output, and a holder for a test vessel. The test vessel is a plastic bottle blow-molding preform having a bottle finish and a pressure entry port. A preform is mounted to each of the modules with the pressure entry port in fluid communication with one of the pressure inputs. A closure is screwed onto each of the preforms and the preforms are pressurized to a preselected test pressure via the module. The pressure within the preforms can be monitored by pressure gauges at the signal outputs, or by transducers at the signal outputs which communicate a pressure signal to remote monitoring equipment.

Abstract: A leak tester is used to perform a leak test on a work such as a wheel by detecting trace gas being leaked from the work. Herein, the work is installed in a chamber and is tightly held between seals. A leak tester seal is constructed using a work seal base, on which a number of channels are formed like circular rings, which are sequentially arranged with equal intervals. For example, an interval of distance between centers of adjoining channels is set at 1.27 cm to cope with different kinds of tire wheels, diameters of which are determined in accordance with the prescribed standard. Incidentally, each channel has a rectangular shape in section. In addition, a number of sealing members, made of elastic material, are formed like circular rings, which are fitted into the channels respectively. At installation of the work into the chamber of the leak tester, a rim of the wheel is pressed against the sealing member buried in the channel of the work seal base.

Abstract: The fluid tightness of containers having a first deformable section and a second deformable section spaced from the first deformable section is checked by changing the pressure applied to the first deformable section, preferably without causing fluid to flow through the first deformable section out of the container, and without changing the pressure applied to the second deformable section, thereby causing a deformation of the first deformable section and a change in pressure within the container; and thereafter monitoring a predetermined characteristic, preferably the position, of the second deformable section. This process can be used to check the fluid tightness of the containers with relatively fragile seals, for example, a foil lid of a food container without mechanical contact. Automated apparatus for carrying out this process is described.

Abstract: A tub waste overflow assembly that is attachable to a tub wall by means of a threaded retaining body insertable through an overflow drain aperture in a tub wall to engage a cooperatively threaded pipe fitting on the opposite side of the tub wall. The retaining body is provided with an annular flange larger than the aperture, a plurality of lugs circumferentially spaced around the tubular bore and extending forwardly of the flange, opposite the male threaded end, and a selectively removable test plug molded in place across the tubular bore at the flange end.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for detecting a leak in a valve and the magnitude of the leak. The valve has an upstream seal, a downstream seal and an inner cavity isolated by the seals. The apparatus comprises a mechanism for generating random pressure pulses in the inner cavity, a first sensor for detecting the onset of each pressure pulse and generating a trigger signal, a second sensor for sensing pressure pulses within the inner cavity and generating a representative second signal for each sensed pressure pulse and a third sensor located either upstream of the upstream seal or downstream of the downstream seal. The third sensor senses pressure pulses and generates a representative third signal for each sensed pressure pulse. Analysis circuitry samples and synchronously averages the second and third signals to determine the existence and magnitude of a seal leak.

Abstract: A tub waste overflow assembly that is attachable to a tub wall by means of a threaded retaining body insertable through an overflow drain aperture in a tub wall to engage a cooperatively threaded pipe fitting on the opposite side of the tub wall. A chamfered washer is provided to cooperate with the retaining body and an annular sealing gasket to produce a fluid-tight seal on the interior surface of the tub wall. A forwardly projecting fulcrum member on the pipe fitting preferably contacts the exterior tub wall outwardly of the aperture to facilitate connection of a drain pipe to tub walls over a range of included angles, and no seal is required around the overflow drain aperture on the exterior tub wall. A unitarily molded, knock-out test plug is provided across the bore of the retaining body and a handle desirably attached to the test plug projects into the tub to facilitate installation.

Abstract: A leak testing device includes a generally cylindrical elongated sealing gasket which defines a recess therethrough. The gasket includes first and second end portions for receiving the respective ends of two adjacent conduits. A shoulder portion extends radially into the recess for supporting a diaphragm member thereon. The diaphragm member includes a diameter substantially corresponding to the diameter of the recess. In a preferred embodiment, the diaphragm member is made intregal with the gasket. A hole is provided in the diaphragm member which can be selectively opened or closed by a valve assembly provided on the diaphragm member to thereby permit or restrict the flow of a fluid between the two conduits.

Abstract: A disposable plug for installation in a cylindrical water line to temporarily block the water line to the passage of water therethrough. The disposable plug includes a cylindrically shaped tablet having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the water line so that when installed within the water line, water is prevented from passing the disposable plug. The cylindrically shaped tablet is characterized as being at least partially dissolvable when contacted with water. A water impermeable membrane surrounds at least a portion of the cylindrically shaped tablet to selectively prevent water from contacting it as long as the disposable plug acts to temporarily block the water line. The water impermeable membrane can be selectively disrupted allowing water to contact the cylindrically shaped tablet to selectively remove the disposable plug when no longer needed.

Abstract: Opposing end fittings of a cylindrical tube pressure test fixture uses slanted abutting surfaces between retaining rings and ferrules that securely clamps a tube under high pressure testing. Retaining ring and ferrule friction and applied radial compression induce shear force upon the tube and prevent leaks during pressure testing.

Abstract: A leak testing device includes a generally cylindrical elongated sealing gasket which defines a recess therethrough. The gasket includes first and second end portions for receiving the respective ends of two adjacent conduits. A shoulder portion extends radially into the recess for supporting a diaphragm member thereon. The diaphragm member includes a diameter substantially corresponding to the diameter of the recess. In a preferred embodiment, the diaphragm member is made intregal with the gasket. A hole is provided in the diaphragm member which can be selectively opened or closed by a valve assembly provided on the diaphragm member to thereby permit or restrict the flow of a fluid between the two conduits.

Abstract: Device for checking the tightness of covers on a heavy metal container for transport and/or storage of radioactive materials, the said container comprising a cavity for nuclear materials delimited by a thick cylindrical shell closed at one end by means of a bottom fixed so that it is leaktight, and at the other end by at least two thick removable superposed covers, characterized in that the said covers are in contact with a shoulder formed in the shell, through flanges fitted with at least two concentric seals, that at least two ducts pass through the shell at each cover, leading through a first inspection orifice to the outside surface of the shell close to the cover in an accessible location, and through a second orifice, one into the space between the cover concentric seals, and the other into the space between the said cover, the shell and the immediately superposed cover, each inspection orifice optionally being connected to a tightness measurement and inspection circuit.

Abstract: On a container for collecting contaminated liquids which has container walls surrounding the base of the container or on a collecting vat for liquid dielectric of a transformer, at least one detachable container part being joined to the collecting container in a liquid tight manner, or at a joining area for two parts that are tightly assembled but detachable from each other, at least one monitoring chamber (46) is provided between the parts (56, 58) that are tightly assembled. The monitoring chamber (46) is connected to a current source at one end and to pressure monitoring device at the other end. The detachable container part (58) should be joined to a section (56) of the collecting container so as to form at least one chamber-like hollow (46). The hollow which serves as a monitoring chamber is tightly bordered by scaling elements (60c) and by the surface of the detachable container part and by the surface of each section of the collecting tank which run between the sealing elements.

Abstract: The leakage check system is applied to a vessel having a sealing valve unit that can close a gas passage and a liquid passage of the outlet port of the vessel. To determine the presence of a liquid leakage from the outlet port, there is provided an electrode for measuring liquid electrical conductivity. An actuator moves the electrode forward and backward relative to the outlet port. A forward part of the electrode is surrounded by a liquid receiver cup which is opposed to the outlet port during the leakage check of the liquid in the vessel. The forward part of the electrode is extended from a bottom of the liquid receiving cup. The liquid receiving cup is supplied with a dilution water from a water feeder. The vessel is conveyed by a conveyor with the vessel being upside down so that the outlet port is directed downwardly. The outlet port of the vessel is insertable into the liquid receiving cup.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dislodging a test baffle in a fluid conduit following pressure testing without permitting fluid to escape. The invention provides a device for dislodging or unseating a test baffle, for releasing a pressure within the conduit contained by the baffle, and for removing the baffle without leakage or other fluid escape. A preferred apparatus according to the invention comprises a rigid plug adapted for sealing engagement of an end of a fluid conduit such as a pipe, and a removal device adapted to pass through an aperture in said plug and to engage and dislodge a test baffle disposed within an interior of the conduit. Preferred removal devices comprises flexible lines attached to the test baffle and tools adapted to pass through the aperture and engage the test baffle.

Abstract: A tub waste overflow assembly is provided that is attachable to a tub wall by means of a threaded retaining body insertable through an overflow drain aperture in a tub wall to engage a cooperatively threaded pipe fitting on the opposite side of the tub wall. A chamfered washer is provided to cooperate with the retaining body and an annular sealing gasket to produce a fluid-tight seal on the interior surface of the tub wall and provide frictional engagement with a cover member spanning the drain aperture.

Abstract: A releasable plug for sealing an open end of a fluid bearing pipe having at its open end an inwardly directed flange formed upon cutting an end of said pipe; said plug including a plug body, an annular recess formed in the body which engages said flange, and sealing means which frictionally engages an inner surface of said pipe thereby providing a pressure seal for said pipe.